Her Story
About Aruna
Aruna Misir is a medical student studying to become a pediatric surgeon. She is currently completing her internal medicine rotations in Chicago. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she pursued a double major in biology and chemistry along with a minor in gender and women's studies. Misir serves as president of the pediatric medicine interest group at her medical school and previously held the role of vice president of the surgery interest group. She is also the Southwest Florida Make-A-Wish speaker for the chapter in Naples, a role that stems from her own experience as a childhood cancer patient and her desire to advocate for children facing similar challenges. Her future aspirations include establishing a nonprofit pediatric clinic and her own surgical center to serve low-income and underdeveloped communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aruna
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Remember that you're a human as well. In the medical field you're trained to move mechanically and can come off like a robot, but you have to remember that you're a human, so you have to relate to your patients and have compassion and understand that they're going through something that's going to be life-altering. Advocate for your patients and be there for them not only as a professional but sometimes as a friend as well while still maintaining professionalism and boundaries.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up. It's a cliche but true. There are many times in your career starting out where you doubt yourself after taking exams like the MCAT, Step exams, or shelf exams, but keep pursuing your dream if it's what you want to do. There's a reason you have that dream, and don't give up just because you feel like something's difficult. If it was easy, then everybody else would be doing it.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Humility is the most important value to me. When you're in the field of medicine there's some grandiosity that comes into play with the hierarchy, but being able to say that yes I have this education and background but at the end of the day I am a human, I'm just like you, doesn't make me better or worse than anybody else. Remain level-headed knowing that yes you are impacting these lives every day but also have the humility to say but I'm a person and so are you.
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